@ajcsaluki Northern Iowa (Leon Bond from Virginia) and Drake (Cam Manyawu from Wyoming) probably added the two best players in the portal.
I think Murray State and Illinois State probably did the best overall jobs given the amount of talent most of the league lost. Illinois State really only lost Myles Foster and Murray State’s worst loss was Brian Moore.
Predicting the MVC is gonna be a tough task but I think Bradley, Northern Iowa, Murray State might be the top 3 right now. That’s how BartTovik has it right now in their 2025 projections with SIU coming in at 4th.
https://barttorvik.com/trankpre.php?conlimit=MVC&state=All&year=2024&sort=
I don’t know how accurate their MVC rosters are though, like Drew Steffe isn’t included on SIU’s roster and I think he has a chance at being a contributing player right away.
@salukiworld I was hoping our portal moves could put us near the top. Time will tell. I like our team that’s being built. Looking forward to seeing what other talent will be added.
@ajcsaluki Northern Iowa (Leon Bond from Virginia) and Drake (Cam Manyawu from Wyoming) probably added the two best players in the portal.
I think Murray State and Illinois State probably did the best overall jobs given the amount of talent most of the league lost. Illinois State really only lost Myles Foster and Murray State’s worst loss was Brian Moore.
Predicting the MVC is gonna be a tough task but I think Bradley, Northern Iowa, Murray State might be the top 3 right now. That’s how BartTovik has it right now in their 2025 projections with SIU coming in at 4th.
https://barttorvik.com/trankpre.php?conlimit=MVC&state=All&year=2024&sort=I don’t know how accurate their MVC rosters are though, like Drew Steffe isn’t included on SIU’s roster and I think he has a chance at being a contributing player right away.
Thank you for your assessment and the BartTovik projections. I'm a bit surprised UIC is up there at fifth, and also surprised (although not displeased) that Illinois State, which has been relatively stable, wasn't ranked higher. Not used to seeing Drake projected middle-of-the pack, but all their long-term mainstays are gone -- even though one of their newcomers has the last name of Stirtz (different spelling, same pronunciation). Finally, a bit shocked to see Missouri State in last, even though the Bears took a huge hit in the portal. Wouldn't be a good way for them to say farewell to the MVC! But with all the upheaval, certainly it's difficult to predict at this point how things might shake out.
@ajcsaluki Northern Iowa (Leon Bond from Virginia) and Drake (Cam Manyawu from Wyoming) probably added the two best players in the portal.
I think Murray State and Illinois State probably did the best overall jobs given the amount of talent most of the league lost. Illinois State really only lost Myles Foster and Murray State’s worst loss was Brian Moore.
Predicting the MVC is gonna be a tough task but I think Bradley, Northern Iowa, Murray State might be the top 3 right now. That’s how BartTovik has it right now in their 2025 projections with SIU coming in at 4th.
https://barttorvik.com/trankpre.php?conlimit=MVC&state=All&year=2024&sort=I don’t know how accurate their MVC rosters are though, like Drew Steffe isn’t included on SIU’s roster and I think he has a chance at being a contributing player right away.
Thank you for your assessment and the BartTovik projections. I'm a bit surprised UIC is up there at fifth, and also surprised (although not displeased) that Illinois State, which has been relatively stable, wasn't ranked higher. Not used to seeing Drake projected middle-of-the pack, but all their long-term mainstays are gone -- even though one of their newcomers has the last name of Stirtz (different spelling, same pronunciation). Finally, a bit shocked to see Missouri State in last, even though the Bears took a huge hit in the portal. Wouldn't be a good way for them to say farewell to the MVC! But with all the upheaval, certainly it's difficult to predict at this point how things might shake out.
UIC adding their transfer from Kent State today actually pushed them ahead of SIU. Preseason rankings aren't end all be all though. I think coaching is gonna matter a lot this year in the MVC and might elevate or sink teams.
This system pretty flawed. They have JR Jacobs on our roster and not Steffe. Plenty of other teams with erroneous info also. I would say for next year Dibba is at least as good a get as Bond and Manyawa. Bond didn't play a ton for an overrated Virginia team as a redshirt freshman last year. He does have talent though as a 6'5" guard. Manyawa is a beast and will have a big impact, but again I think Dibba will have at least as big of an impact next year. The difference will be if UNI and Drake can keep those players for more than 1 year as they will both be sophomores and Dibba will be a senior.@ajcsaluki Northern Iowa (Leon Bond from Virginia) and Drake (Cam Manyawu from Wyoming) probably added the two best players in the portal.
I think Murray State and Illinois State probably did the best overall jobs given the amount of talent most of the league lost. Illinois State really only lost Myles Foster and Murray State’s worst loss was Brian Moore.
Predicting the MVC is gonna be a tough task but I think Bradley, Northern Iowa, Murray State might be the top 3 right now. That’s how BartTovik has it right now in their 2025 projections with SIU coming in at 4th.
https://barttorvik.com/trankpre.php?conlimit=MVC&state=All&year=2024&sort=I don’t know how accurate their MVC rosters are though, like Drew Steffe isn’t included on SIU’s roster and I think he has a chance at being a contributing player right away.
Agree that the amount of reliance on newcomers makes the MVC very, very tough to predict and that coaching will be a very big factor with melding these rosters together.
That said … I think Bradley (will be preseason favorite), UNI, Illinois State, Drake and Valpo, yes, Valpo, seem like likely upper-half teams to me. Murray could be in that mix but Prohm has plenty to prove to the Valley after consecutive weak seasons.
I like SIU, which will be athletic as hell, as a top-4 team if they bring in a starting-caliber PG at this late-sh hour of the spring cycle.
Trey Miller is transferring to UT Rio Grande Valley per his Instagram
Why does everyone think Bradley will be favored? Leons and Hickman are gone.
Why does everyone think Bradley will be favored? Leons and Hickman are gone.
Duke Deen might be the best player in the conference next year, they get Hannah back, Zek Montgomery returns from Rhode Island. And with DeVries and Schertz gone, I think Wardle is the clear best coach and developer in the conference.
Ole Murray wanting that high octane offense that Brendan teaches 😄Murray State finally announces Brendan Mullins:
https://twitter.com/racershoops/status/1792621031946870934?s=46&t=7s0hTttieSER8wqRSA0LoA
Why does everyone think Bradley will be favored? Leons and Hickman are gone.
Duke Deen might be the best player in the conference next year, they get Hannah back, Zek Montgomery returns from Rhode Island. And with DeVries and Schertz gone, I think Wardle is the clear best coach and developer in the conference.
Burch, who flashed as a freshman guard last year, also should be a key guy for them this season at both ends. A very athletic dude.
Bradley also signed five guys this spring, including a 6-10 JUCO center, so I’m sure there will be some help there.
Why does everyone think Bradley will be favored? Leons and Hickman are gone.
And with DeVries and Schertz gone, I think Wardle is the clear best coach and developer in the conference.
One of the most intriguing things about next season will be watching Nagy, with 20 years of Division I head coaching experience, match wits against Wardle, Jacobsen, Martin and McCollum.
Why does everyone think Bradley will be favored? Leons and Hickman are gone.
And with DeVries and Schertz gone, I think Wardle is the clear best coach and developer in the conference.
One of the most intriguing things about next season will be watching Nagy, with 20 years of Division I head coaching experience, match wits against Wardle, Jacobsen, Martin and McCollum.
I'm looking forward to seeing actual clock management prior to the half and/or end of game as well as inbound plays.
